Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Last night, March 29th 2011, at about 7:30 p.m. local time, a CH-53 with 4 Marines on board from MCAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, went down near the base. It was a water crash, but luckily, the water was only about 4 feet deep. Apparently, they have all survived the crash, but at least one is in critical condition. KBay is where we used to do our practice SAR jumps when I was stationed at HSL-37, NAS Barber's Point, Hawaii. It is now the home base for HSL-37 since they closed NAS Barber's Point back in the mid 1990's.

When a friend of mine posted the links for the news sites about the crash, it hit me hard. It has been almost 16 years since I strapped myself into a military helicopter. I don't know any of the crewman involved, but it still made my heart ache. Unless you only did one tour flying, the odds are you know someone who gave their life flying in military aircraft. It may be a risk all flyers take every time they strap in, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens.

It was about 18 years and one week ago that a helo from my squadron went down in the Straights of Hormuz. I lost three good friends that night. Only a few years before that, our squadron lost another bird. Only one crewman was lost, but the other two will never be the same, either mentally or physically.

I was only in the Navy for 12 years. I have now been out for almost 16 years, much longer than I was in, but these feelings of hurt and sadness still rear their ugly heads every time I hear of an aviator, from any branch of the U.S. military, going down. Sometimes I wish I didn't experience these feelings. But, when I sit back and think about it with my brain instead of my heart, I know it is a good thing. There's a need for people in this country that care about and honor our service members. I know they have family and friends, but I believe more is better.

I recently read in a book, "If you share your pain with someone else, it cuts your own in half". I am aware that I don't know any of these brave airmen, and they will never know that I am sharing their pain with them, but I honestly believe it can't hurt and may be able to help them. I guess it all depends on whether you believe in a common life energy here on Earth or not. I do.

So, as I sit here and type, I am thinking about, and praying for, these four brave airmen. Those airmen that for years have been putting their lives on the line, every time they strap in, to help keep this country free.

God bless you all.
AW2 (AW) (Civ) David "Bull" Westfall

Addendum:

Corporal Jonathan D. Faircloth, an aerial observer with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Air Group 24, was pronounced dead by the state medical examiner and taken to Tripler Army Medical Center Tuesday night.
Faircloth, 22, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., joined the squadron in April, 2007, and deployed with them to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2010. He became a Marine in August, 2006.
Faircloth is survived by his wife, Alicia, two siblings, James and Danielle, and his parents, Dean and Beverly Faircloth, who described their son as a true gentleman and a happy person who loved the Marine Corps and his job.
Faircloth's personal awards include four Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
The three HMH-363 crewmen injured during the same emergency landing were pilot Maj. Clinton J. Collins, copilot Capt. Kevin F. Hayles, and crew chief Cpl. Ronnie E. Brandafino. All three Marines were transported to Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu for treatment of their injuries and were last reported in stable condition.
While Hayles has joined the squadron recently, Collins has deployed with HMH-363 once to Afghanistan and Brandafino, who joined the squadron in 2008 deployed with them to Iraq that year and to Afghanistan in 2010. Collins also deployed with HMH-362, also based at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, to Iraq in 2007.

***Thank you, David. You sure know how to say what most of us would like to. That quote was right on ... sharing our pain with others really does cut our own in half. That has been my dream, here in Memoirs.
Hugs to you, my friend,
CJ

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

3 comments:

Hi David,Like the saying goes, "Some gave All and All gave some".Every person in the US Military, be it 2 years of a life time should be considered a hero. They don't have to see combat for them to be doing something for their Country, Our Country.They are giving a little of themselves so that others can be free. Any loss is unacceptable, be it in combat action, training accident or someone being hit by a car. These military personnel give of themselves every day. They don't ask for much in return, but we should give them what we can, even if it is here to just listen and know that your words do not fall on deaf ears.Welcome home my friend.Craig LathamFormer 101st Airborne Div. (Ambl)Phu Bai, Vietnam (now in Ohio)

I am the mother of Cpl. Ronnie Brandafino, the Crew Cheif on the flight that crashed at K-Bay on March 29th, he was three weeks away from completing his 5 year committment to the Marine Corps,and was due to come home for good April 17th! my hero for so many years of his life even before the Marine Corps but most definetly since joining and especially while watching him struggle through the tragedy and the injuries he was left with. I'm eternally grateful to his Marine Corps family who stood by our sides, to the Doctors who saved his life and his leg, though he has a long road ahead of him he is special and strong and motivated to heal and walk. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts, he is currently healing at Walter Reed and will move over to Bethesda when he is ready. He is an amazing young man, an Amazing son and a amazing Marine.His fallen brother is carried in his heart as they were like brothers. every picture of them they are laughing. Jon's family is forever in my thoughts and prayers.~ Darlene Brandafino-Claus Very Proud Marine Mom x2

CJ Heck

About Me

A native of Coshocton OH, I am a published poet, writer, blogger, freelance editor, and the author of five books. I live in The Villages, Florida, with my partner, Robert Cosmar, who is also an author.

Where to Find Me

Doug

Douglas S. "Doc" Kempf

Notes From All Over ...

January 2014CJ Is a LADY whom I've never met in person, but I have a sense of her. She has opened doors for Vietnam Vets, like myself, through her webpage to read and to write of our experiences. THIS is HUGE in that it allows us to tell OUR stories with NO filters, free to articulate our history/our feelings/our pain!

We can get the BIG chunks out and NO ONE will question us, because CJ has her own CREDS and we ALL know that and respect that! NO BS, or attacks, allowed on her site! CJ is many things to many of us; to me---she's a LADY! ~Michael Van Strien

January 2014I wish I had known Doug, but I know exactly what he was like, what he stood for and did. He had a rare quality given to only a select few that gave him courage beyond description --fearless and driven to help fellow vets. The worse it was, the braver a combat medic was. Nothing could stop them from getting to you, nothing. Again, a debt I can never repay.

We're in this together, no matter what, Ms. CJ. Thanks as always. Without you I would simply be one of many unknowns who came through this world and would have left here in the same manner. I've said all along, you are a part of us always. ~Michael Lansford

December 2014Thank you, CJ, for all you do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ~Chip Schmerder (retired vet, D.O.D.)

November 2014CJ, Thanks again for your devotion and energy to make us Vietnam vets feel welcomed and appreciated. You are an angel in our midst. Please accept a copy of my novel as a small token of appreciation for all your efforts. Memoirs From Nam is a place we can all believe in, as it provides a forum to express our feelings. I think you'll find yourself somewhere among the pages of Landon's Odyssey. Enjoy! ~J.A. Gasperetti

May 2014 CJ, Your work is amazing. We have all been there and relive scenes like these all the time. I believe that the rest of the world needs to SEE what we live. CJ, I am humbled by what you are and what you do. Peace. Namaste. ~Clarence Bopp

May 2014 CJ, Everything I've ever read on your blog has had a purpose of healing behind it. You should feel like part of the team cuz you are. The baggage God gave you to carry from that war, I don't think many Vietnam Vets would want to endure. You work so hard to help us deal with the past, but even the shrink needs to talk to somebody at times. I'm not a professional, but I paid attention as I was traveling through life, and I learned from all the bad parts, especially the eleven years of PTSD therapy. If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you, just as you're always here for us. ~Larry Blouir/WarHippy

December 2010I've only been following you for a few months now, but I feel I've known you a lifetime. Kindred spirits? Common upbringing? Whatever the reason, thank you for being you. Thank you for your blog. Thank you for giving us a place to open up and let the pain out. ~David Westfall

April 2014CJ, Doug was our brother and as his wife, that makes you our sister. We are always here for you when you are in need. It's not often we get women like you, who have had a personal loss like you have. I personally want to thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's not only cathartic for you to talk about it, it's also cathartic for us to hear. Any time you want, I would be honored to escort you to The Wall in DC. I haven't been there to visit my brothers in many years. It's time for me to go again. Peace be with you my sister. ~Nico Lorris

May 2014 CJ - I want you to know how much I like everything you post on this page. Some of it has helped with my PTSD. Please keep up the good work. ~Nam Vet, Harry Andrus.

August 2012 Words that fall gently upon the soul are as silver feathers of hope. We all have buried so much. As these hurts surface, it is a great gift to have your hand to hold. As we touch, and rest, in each other's open hearts, healing blossoms forth and all else falls away as dust. ~Anonymous

August 2013 CJ, Thank you for this website. My husband is a Vietnam Vet and will be sending you some stories. He also likes what you have done here. ~Nancy Payne Shivers

July 2011 What an amazing tribute. Sincerely, Lisa Barretta

May 2014 Either knowingly or not, you have helped us (me for sure) by asking the question, "Do You Still Think About Vietnam?" We are one. Here's a hug. God bless you. ~James Hathorn.

May 2014 CJ, you keep doing what you're doing. There are many of us that appreciate your efforts and understand your personal loss. SEMPER FI. ~Donald "Tack" Tackett

May 2014 CJ, you do a wonderful job with Memoirs From Nam. For years I have written about the bad times and the good times I spent in country. Several times you have posted things I wrote. It's good not only to write but also read what you have written. Somehow it gives us strength to overcome those deep hidden problems. CJ, you keep posting, because I for one will be a faithful follower. Semper Fi. ~Dave Ramsey

May 2014 This series of extremely well written articles are truly must reads for all vets, especially Vietnam vets. I share them with my dad (a Nam vet) who enjoys them very much. He is 88 years old. These vets are aging. We can't let their stories get lost. We can't let the kids think Hollywood's version, or Jane Fonda's ilk, is what Nam and our brave soldiers were like and about. ~Heather Anthony

Medic Insignia

Vietnam Vets Memorial Fund Education Center

CJ,
I ran into your blog and wanted to say thank you for what you do.

As a veteran of the current conflicts I know that the incredible treatment that we now receive comes from the work of our brave Vietnam Veterans and those who witnessed the way they were treated.